Hi Joe, great photo (as always) but your comment on the bullet holes is rather frightening. I know of incidents here in the UK where the emergency services are subjected to threats and violence too, but shooting?
At one time the FDNY standard equipment load on some engine companies in areas like the south Bronx included a shotgun!
Fortunately, things have gotten better in New York, but many US cities automatically send a substantial police response to all fire calls, including heavily-armed SWAT teams in some Detroit neighborhoods with known reputations for gun violence.
I have seen many videos of Gary firefighters in action, and for some reason very few of them seem to wear turnout gear, helmets or BA. I hope this is not because the city's budget does not run to providing each firefighter with what they need to be safe. Perhaps the money is better spent on bulletproof vests?
I know of incidents here in the UK where the emergency services are subjected to threats and violence too, but shooting?
Added by Marcel Gommers on 06 May 2010.